Method for determining at least one temperature compensation parameter for the compensation of temperature effects on the measured values of a sensor system

Abstract

A method for determining a temperature compensation parameter for compensation of temperature effects on measured values of a sensor system having a sensor unit for acquiring measured values of a sensor measuring variable. The method includes: monitoring the measuring situation of the sensor unit; determining whether the current measuring situation corresponds to a reference measuring situation for which a reference measured value of the sensor measuring variable is known; monitoring the temperature of the sensor unit; determining whether the current temperature lies within a predefined temperature range; acquiring different temperature values within the predefined temperature range and acquiring the respective associated measured values of the sensor measuring variable when the current measuring situation corresponds to a reference measuring situation; determining a temperature compensation parameter based on the reference measured value of the sensor measuring variable, the different temperature values, and the associated measured values of the sensor measuring variable.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A method for determining at least one temperature compensation parameter for compensating temperature effects on measured values of a sensor system, the sensor system including a sensor configured to acquire measured values of a sensor measuring variable, a temperature sensor configured to acquire a temperature of the sensor, and a signal processor configured to determine at least one temperature compensation parameter and to compensate temperature effects on the measured values of the sensor, the method comprising the following steps:
 monitoring a temperature of the sensor and determining whether a current temperature of the sensor corresponds to a reference temperature for which at least one reference measured value of the sensor measuring variable is known 
 and whether the current temperature of the sensor lies within a predefined temperature range; 
 acquiring at least two different temperature values of the sensor within the predefined temperature range and acquiring respective associated measured values of the sensor measuring variable when the current temperature corresponds to the reference temperature; 
 determining at least one temperature compensation parameter based on the at least one reference measured value of the sensor measuring variable, the at least two different temperature values, and the associated measured values of the sensor measuring variable. 
 
     
     
       2. The method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the temperature is monitored using at least one further sensor and/or a circuit system, which is a component of the sensor system or a device in which the sensor system is installed. 
     
     
       3. The method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein a difference between the at least two different temperature values is greater than a predefined threshold value. 
     
     
       4. The method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the at least one temperature compensation parameter is determined as a model parameter for a model that describes a temperature effect on the sensor measuring variable so that a temperature compensation variable for a measured value acquired at a particular temperature value is determined based on the model for a random temperature value. 
     
     
       5. The method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the at least one temperature compensation parameter is determined as a coefficient and/or a constant of a function that describes a functional relationship between temperature and sensor measuring variable in a reference temperature within the predefined temperature range so that a temperature compensation variable for the measured value acquired at a particular temperature value is determined for a random temperature value based on the function. 
     
     
       6. The method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the processor and/or at least one further component of the sensor system, is selectively actuated to heat and/or cool the sensor to at least a first and/or at least a second temperature value within the predefined temperature range and to acquire the respective associated measured values of the sensor measuring variable. 
     
     
       7. The method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the method is carried out: (i) during the installation and/or in a start phase of the sensor system, and/or (ii) repeatedly, at regular time intervals, and/or (iii) automatically in an event-controlled and/or user-initiated manner. 
     
     
       8. The method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein a temperature-dependent offset of the sensor measuring variable and/or a temperature dependency of a response behavior of the sensor is compensated based on the at least one temperature compensation parameter. 
     
     
       9. A sensor system, comprising:
 a sensor configured to acquire measured values of a sensor measuring variable; 
 a temperature sensor configured to acquire a temperature value of the sensor system; and 
 a signal processing unit processor configured to:
 monitor a temperature of the sensor and determine whether a current temperature of the sensor corresponds to a reference temperature for which at least one reference measured value of the sensor measuring variable is known 
 and whether the current temperature of the sensor lies within a predefined temperature range; 
 actuate the sensor and the temperature sensor so that at least two different temperature values within the predefined temperature operating range together with respective associated measured values of the sensor measuring variable are acquired when the current temperature corresponds to the reference temperature; and 
 determine at least one temperature compensation parameter based on the at least one reference measured value of the sensor measuring variable, the at least two different temperature values, and the associated measured values of the sensor measuring variable. 
 
 
     
     
       10. The sensor system as recited in  claim 9 , further comprising:
 at least one further sensor and/or a circuit system, configured to monitor the temperature of the sensor. 
 
     
     
       11. The sensor system as recited in  claim 9 , further comprising:
 at least one data memory configured to store: (i) the acquired at least two different temperature values and the respective associated measured values of the sensor measuring variable, and/or (ii) the at least one temperature compensation parameter, and/or (iii) a predefined threshold value for a difference between the at least two different temperature values. 
 
     
     
       12. The sensor system as recited in  claim 9 , further comprising:
 at least one further component actuable by the signal processor for selective influencing of the temperature of the sensor. 
 
     
     
       13. The sensor system as recited in  claim 9 , wherein the signal processor is configured to correct measured values of the sensor measuring variable acquired in a measuring operation of the sensor system and to output temperature-corrected measured values of the sensor measuring variable. 
     
     
       14. The sensor system as recited in  claim 9 , wherein the sensor is a MEMS rotation-rate sensor, or a MEMS acceleration sensor, or a magnetic sensor, or a MEMS pressure sensor.